I am so worried about my babies... help me please..

[silkiechick05]

So, I have noticed two things lately that have been out of the ordinary...


Head shaking CONSTANTLY

and

"Yawning" CONSTANTLY

I THINK IT IS GAPEWORM

they are only six weeks old

I don't want them to die

Help me please

 

[speckledhen]

Have they been outside? If not, I sort of doubt gapeworm, which isn't all that common anyway, especially in young chicks like that. Yawning can mean they have a piece of food or shavings in their throat they're trying to get down. Head shaking can be many things, including itchy heads when their feathers are growing in, being tired (my birds often do a little head shake as they fall asleep), etc.

Have you fed them earthworms? That is how they get gapeworm by ingesting the nematode carried by earthworms.

 

[silkiechick05]

They run around my backyard for a couple hours every other day.

They have eaten meal worms, moths, and various bugs

Is it more dangerous to leave them with it or treat them with ivermectin?


What is the dosage for ivermectin for that young of a chick?

 

[chickerdoodle]

I am sorry your chicks are sick!

Are they still on supplemental heating?
Do they make any rumbling, crackling, or wheezing noises if you listen carefully?
Can you see anything down their throats (I know its really hard to tell on 6 week old chicks but maybe with a flashlight and help).
Are they eating and drinking well? What do you feed them?
What does their poo look like?
Are their crops OK--filling during the day and empty first thing in the morning?
Any smell noticeable when you open their beaks?
I'm not an expert but answers to these questions may narrow it down more.
Hopefully someone with more experience will chime in

 

[silkiechick05]

Yes, they are still on heat.

I don't think they wheeze... but they do sneeze sometimes, especially after they eat

I have not had a chance to look down their throats yet... I bet that will be a job lol

They are eating well.
I feed them regularly:
medicated chick food
Occasionally the will get:
carrots
scrambled eggs
chicken
When they go outside:
moths
dirt
meal worms
and anything else they can find

Their poo looks good and solid, however when they drink, it can get runny.
It is a nice rich brown color
LOL

And lastly, I have no idea when it comes to crops...

 

[sammi]

the crop is a little sac near the bottom of the neck on top of the breast, slightly to the bird's right..
when empty it will feel like an empty balloon..
feel for any lump, grainy feeling, or doughy mass..

what bedding are you using?

use a small flashlight and look down the throats...look for any whitish or yellowey lesions or sores, or plaque..and the red gapeworm in the throat.
check them for mites..ears, too..

here are some links with info..

molds and respiratory problems

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page11.htm

worms, including gapeworm info:

http://www.shagbarkbantams.com/page12.htm